Republican Jack Ciattarelli, left, looks on while Democrat Mikie Sherrill speaks during the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP/Heather Khalifa)
Ciattarelli's campaign strategist, Chris Russell, released a statement following the debate.
"Last night, faced with continued questions about her refusal to release disciplinary records that would reveal her true role in the Naval Academy cheating scandal, and pressed about her unusually abbreviated tenure as a federal prosecutor, Mikie Sherrill cracked," Russell said in a statement obtained by Fox News.
"In doing so, she claimed — twice — that Jack Ciattarelli ‘killed tens of thousands of people, including children,’ a clearly defamatory attack that shocked the moderators, press, and public alike," Russell added. "In a time where political violence and violent rhetoric are becoming all too prevalent, Mikie Sherrill baselessly and recklessly accusing a political opponent of mass murder in a televised debate crosses the line."
NJ SHOWDOWN: CIATTARELLI PILES ON DEM RIVAL AFTER HEATED DEBATE WITH SCATHING NEW ADS
Democrat Mikie Sherrill participates in the final New Jersey gubernatorial debate with Republican Jack Ciattarelli in New Brunswick, N.J., on Oct. 8, 2025. (Heather Khalifa/AP Photo)
In response to the lawsuit threat, Sherrill's campaign told NBC10 Philadelphia, "Jack's reaction is to hide behind a lawsuit, not to take responsibility."
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"What’s reckless and irresponsible is Jack Ciattarelli making millions of dollars profiting off the pain of New Jerseyans — publishing misinformation about the dangers of opioid addiction and developing an app to coach patients to ask doctors for more drugs," the campaign added. "As he was making millions, the Big Pharma companies made billions, and tens of thousands of New Jerseyans died. He is clearly unfit to lead and protect this state, and owes the people of New Jersey answers."
Fox News Digital’s Madison Colombo contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nj-republican-ciattarelli-threatens-sue-sherrill-over-opioid-claim